Hard Truth #6 About the Disney College Program: It Is NOT a 6-Month Vacation

I’m gonna let you in on a little (not-so-secret) secret. Disney World’s Disney College Program Cast Members? They don’t get paid much. Most people know that going into the job, but 1.) you’re working INSIDE Disney World, and 2.) you get FREE access to the Disney parks on your days off. It’s basically a free Annual Pass.

We love chatting with Cast Members!

Obviously, people aren’t taking a job via the Disney College Program for the pay. But the perks? Well, it sounds pretty tempting, right? Imagine living minutes from the parks, going whenever you want, and taking a lunch break in EPCOT. Sounds like a six-month vacation! WRONG.

Let’s start at the beginning. The Disney College Program is an exclusive internship for college students and recent graduates. The program offers college-age students the chance to take a semester (or more) off to come and work as a Disney World Cast Member. For many, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!

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As we mentioned, Disney Cast Members get a special ticket that lets them visit the parks most days throughout the year. You can hit Magic Kingdom before work, visit Disney’s Hollywood Studios after work, or EPCOT on your day off. But, unlike a typical 9 to 5 job, Disney World College Program Cast Members might not work a standard eight-hour job five days a week. This is where the “Instagram versus Reality” factor comes into play.

Disney World Cast Members

You may see people online showing off “a day in the life of a Cast Member,” but keep in mind that everyone is different, and your schedule could look WAY different than what’s on social media.

TRON Cast Members

Depending on the job you are assigned (which can range from a Haunted Mansion Cast Member to a Magic Kingdom Custodian), your schedule can look VERY different from week to week.

Cast Members in EPCOT

Yes, you could end up working six days a week. In fact, some roles may be scheduled for 9-hour shifts six days a week. That leaves just one day off each week, and if you have grocery shopping to do or laundry to catch up on, suddenly, your free time completely disappears.

A Magic Kingdom Cast Member

Take it from us — if you’re working 9+ hour shifts six days a week (in the SUMMER in Florida), you might not feel like hitting the parks in your free time. The job can be pretty exhausting!

A Complete Guide To Disney Cast Member Discounts

That doesn’t mean the job is miserable, though. After all, you’re making magic for families every single day! What’s better than that? Ultimately, it all comes down to what you make of it. If you go in looking for a 6-month vacation, you’ll be disappointed. But if you come ready to work, you might have a great time!